How many players need to step up to propel the Bills go a step further towards Superbowl this year?

[PoundingDog]

12 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

All of them. 

It's a cliche and we all know that. In NFL, if you don't try to improve, you ARE going backwards. But how many can actually improve above the current pace and break out a "career year"? Say Terrel Bernard. He's a solid NFL starter and a leader in Bills defense. The absence of him will hurt the Bills D but the presence of him won't propel the Bills D to another level, assuming everyone else stay current at his playing level.  

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

On 6/9/2025 at 3:29 PM, PoundingDog said:

Last year most of us are expecting a down year, based on what happened in the off-season. I did expect the Bills to still win the division but not getting to the AFC championship game. 

 

Looking back, I can say for myself that I didn't expect

1) a step forward from Allen. I suspect when we look back years later in Allen's career, it might be a very important year. His 3rd season proved he's elite. But last year (year 6) in my opinion, he became a more rounded, complete QB, especially in decision making.

2) a step forward from Cook. In my book, he became THE offensive weapon and too bad Brady didn't use him enough in the most important game last year.

3) a step backward from Kincaid. Many, including me, expected Kincaid to be THE offensive weapon but he didn't.

4) not a single defensive player stepping up to have a career year. Benford, Rousseau improved, but not a dominant force. Von and Milano didn't have resurgence.

 

This year. I don't think Allen is going to improve significantly again. Neither would I expect from Cook. I expect Kincaid to do better but not sure I would expect a breakout performance.

a) Hairston. Widely reported as a McDermott pick (unlike the Elam pick), he may have a chance to have a Tre White like rookie campaign. If that happens, it is a huge boost to the D.

b) Bishop. Little evidence to suggest that he's in line for a Bernard kind of 2nd year but no one saw that in Bernard either. Just my hope. we can dream that both a) and b) happen this year so McDermott has his best secondary as a HC of the Bills. 

c) Coleman. He played enough last year that he got a taste how people defended him effectively later in the season. Does he develop enough to counter, or do Brady and the staff find something to use him more effectively?

d) Bosa. He's still young enough to do what he can do. Can he provide the Bills what Von provided when he came to the Bills before his knee injury?

 

I know the Bills spent a lot on the D-Line but I'm not going to bet on the rookies and suspended players. Chances are one of the rookie D-Line will flash, but I just don't see consistently D-Line plays from rookies picked in the low 1st round onwards.

 

It’s not the amount of players that need to step up. It’s a certain cohesive unit as a whole. And that’s the defensive line. Even though it was a bit long ago, I feel like the Giants drew up the blueprint against the Patriots. Until Buffalo is able to send consistent pressure against Mahomes, it’s going to be a long day for them. I don’t want to sound cruel, but they need to beat the crap out of him within the context of the rules. Start making him see ghosts like Sam Darnold. If they draw a RTP call or 2 then so be it.
 

This has always been the #1 issue and it’s why Beane took another crack at bolstering the line this offseason. I hate to put a lot of pressure on a recently injury-prone player, but damn, it would be BILLY FUCCILLO HUGE if Joey Bosa could stay relatively healthy. A starting line of BOSA/ OLIVER/ TJ SANDERS/ ROUSSEAU would be absolutely insane. The Bills have some very solid rotational players as well. 

[PoundingDog]

@ChronicAndKnuckles I hear you. I do think McBeane is on the right track now. Having capable and smart secondary and linebackers helps, as well as the cliche of "it takes everyone." It does work against most QBs and offenses. But history has shown that against the very best - Brady and Mahomes types, brute force might be the most effective way. Like you said, Brady's two superbowl losses to the Giants, Mahomes' two superbowl losses to Bucs and Eagles have a common theme: the D-line dominated the O-Line.

 

Overall, I think the Bills D-Line is at least a year away. Currently we have starters Bosa, Oliver, Jones, Rousseau, with backups Epenesa, Sanders, ogunjobi, Jackson, and third string Solomon, Carter, Walker, Hoecht. probably better depth overall than they have ever been. BUT we need probably 2 legit stars to dominate which free up others to make plays consistently. I'm not counting on Oliver, Jones, and Rousseau to be a true star (win majority one-on-one against capable O-Lineman). Hope Rousseau to take another step but history says once a player is paid, don't expect an immediate breakout season. Bosa is at least capable (done before) and motivated, but no one knows injury factor. The hope is on 1st and 2nd year guys and we do have a lot of them (5 to be exact).